Hearse containing Rodney Osborne passes under fire engines.
Hearse containing Corrections Officer Rodney Osborne passes under flag-draped fire engines. He was fatally shot at an Ohio prison training facility.
The firearms instructor under investigation in the shooting death of a co-worker received stellar employee reviews, took dozens of training courses and climbed the ranks within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, his personnel file shows.
David Pearson and another firearms instructor were set to lead a five-day class for state employees at the Corrections Training Academy in Pickaway County when Lt. Rodney Osborne was fatally shot in the chest on the first day of class on April 9.
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The Ohio State Highway Patrol said it is investigating the shooting as a possible reckless homicide. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction placed Pearson on administrative leave April 10 while troopers investigate.
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Pearson’s 1,519-page training and personnel file includes records of him acknowledging gun range safety rules, including “Treat all firearms as if they are loaded” and “Never point a firearm at any person unless you are prepared to shoot that person or unless participating in a controlled supervised training program.”
Osborne was shot at 11:10 a.m. when students were scheduled to take a lunch break.
Pearson could not be reached for comment.
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Witnesses have said the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction instructed them not to talk to the media. The patrol denied a request by The Dispatch to release the witness statements.
Who is David Pearson?
Over the years, Pearson’s supervisors described him as a hard worker who is trustworthy, reliable, and smart. Shortly after starting as a corrections officer in 2005, he joined the special response team.
He signed up for dozens of training courses, even beyond the mandatory classes. He moonlighted as an auxiliary police officer in Harveysburg, a shopping mall security officer in suburban Cincinnati and a hospital police officer at Kettering Health Hamilton.
In January 2021, the prison department promoted Pearson to west regional special operations commander. Pearson and William Bauer, the second instructor at the April 9 training, were scheduled to lead two dozen training courses at the prison Special Operations Center this year.
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Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
A trainee security guard worker at an Amazon warehouse in Ohio was shot dead by police after he attempted to shoot his supervisor at close range and then later shot an officer wearing a bulletproof vest, the authorities said.
The initial shooting occurred around 4:At around 40 p.m. on Sunday at the warehouse in West Jefferson; the shooting was caught on surveillance CCTV footage, they said during their Monday news conference.
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Ali Hamsa Yusuf, 22, stunned onlookers when he fired a shot at close range at the back of his supervisor’s head, narrowly missing his target.
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According to ABC News, the Amazon facility was promptly evacuated as Yusuf fled the scene, leaving over 100 employees shaken but unharmed.
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Supervisor narrowly escapes gunman’s deadly aim
West Jefferson Chief Brandon Smith revealed, “The supervisor helped obtain video footage from inside the Amazon facility showing Yusuf about 3 feet behind the supervisor with the gun pointed at the supervisor’s head. The gun appears to have jammed and the bullet barely missed the supervisor.”
The supervisor stated, “He shot at me twice but he missed. He almost executed me.”
“The firearm would have to have been brought in concealed, Smith West Jefferson Chief Brandon Smith said. As of Monday evening, detectives did not have a motive as to why Yusuf attempted to kill his supervisor, he said,” ABC reported.
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Yusuf’s intentions became alarmingly clear when he later targeted a Columbus police officer, hitting the officer’s bulletproof vest with a bullet. The officer escaped with minor injuries.
Madison County Sheriff’s office and West Jefferson police said Yusuf had no prior criminal records.
The Columbus Dispatch reported, “The Madison County Sheriff’s office said in a post on its Facebook page that deputies got a call about a possible active shooter at the warehouse located west of West Jefferson. The sheriff’s office and West Jefferson police responded and are investigating.”
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Police chief recounts the gunman’s encounter
Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, recounted, “Franklin Township police officers pulled their vehicles in front of the man’s sedan at a traffic light and a Columbus police cruiser with its dashcam on came up from behind. Yusuf exited his vehicle and began firing at the Columbus officer. Yusuf then began to run around the rear of his car.”
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“As Yusuf tried to run away, law enforcement officers began shooting at him and the Columbus police officer, whom the division is not identifying citing Marsy’s Law, realized he had been hit in his bulletproof vest.”
The confirmation of Yusuf’s demise by the West Jefferson police and the Franklin County Coroner’s Office marked the conclusion of a tumultuous ordeal.
Amazon later clarified that Yusuf was a contract employee assigned to the warehouse by a third-party partner. Amazon spokesman Steve Kelly said, “We’re thankful that no one at our facility was injured during this incident and for the work of our team on the ground and first responders.”
“As this is an active investigation, we’re cooperating with the West Jefferson Police Department and will defer further comment to them at this time.”
Three sisters who are royal descendants from Ghana are letting the cameras roll on their lives here in the United States in a brand new docuseries debuting on Freeform.
It’s called ‘Royal Rules of Ohio,’ and it follows the ladies as they navigate their 20s in Columbus, the state’s capital.
We chatted with the ladies ahead of the premiere.
“My sisters and I are trying to figure out these royal rules,” said Brenda Agyekum.
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“You can expect to see so much stuff, from family drama to betrayal. You will also see our Ghanaian culture.”
The Agyekums are a family of African royals. Roughly 25 years ago, they left Ghana and moved to Ohio.
They brought with them rules on how the daughters were supposed to behave as descendants of royalty.
“We are just trying to figure out life, love, and all these royal rules, but we cannot risk ruining the family name,” Brenda said.
“We play by our parent’s rules because the culture has really instilled in us how to navigate this world,” added Nana Agyekum.
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“But also, we’re kind of creating our own rules. We are in our 20s. This is the time you’re supposed to discover what you like, and what you dislike.”
They say come ready to laugh.
“I think our family is just comedy,” said Brenda. “Viewers are going to love how funny we are.”
The sisters say they also get raw and real, and they show us Ohio like it’s never been seen before.
“The world isn’t ready for the Agyekums,” said Thelma Agyekum. “We’re taking over the world. I feel like it’s something the world hasn’t even seen yet, so they need to be prepared.”
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‘Royal Rules of Ohio’ premieres Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. on Freeform. It also streams on Hulu.
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